CHAPTER IV. 



OPENING OF THE SILO. 



UNFORTUNATELY the meetings of the State Board of 

 Agriculture and the Massachusetts State Dairy Fair, 

 were held on the same day as the opening, which pre- 

 vented the attendance of many gentlemen, who, however, 

 sent letters of regret expressing great interest in the 

 result. 



The following letter was received from the United 

 States Commissioner of Agriculture : 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 1879. 



J. B. BROWN, 50 Beekman Street, New York. 



Dear Sir, I am much gratified to receive and thank you for the 

 invitation to attend the opening of the FIRST American Silo at the farm 

 of Mr. John M. Bailey at Billerica, Mass. 



As Congress will be in session at the time mentioned, it will not be 

 possible for me to attend, a fact which I regret very much. Will you 

 have the kindness to convey to Mr. Bailey my sincere regrets, and ask 

 him to give me a detailed statement of the experiment from beginning 

 to end, for publication in my next annual report ? 



I look upon the system of Ensilage as one which has wrought won- 

 derful changes in certain French provinces, and from which we may hope 

 for greater success in this country. 



It will prove, I have little doubt, a very decided advance in our agri- 

 cultural methods. 



Very respectfully yours, 



WM. G. LE Due, Commissioner. 

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